Stress appears to be at the forefront of serious issues these days. Did you know that an estimated 70-80% of visits to the doctor are attributed to stress? There are pills to medicate against it, addictive behaviours that help us to cope with it and countless measures taken to deal with the after effects. But what if I told you that stress doesn’t actually exist.

Now let me explain.Stress is a physiological reaction to a demand or threat.Your nervous system generates a response by releasing stress hormones into your system, such as cortisol and epinephrine (or adrenaline).Preparing you for a state of emergency, your heart beats faster, your breath quickens, your blood pressure rises, your muscles tighten, your pupils dilate and your senses sharpen.You are ready to go and fast.

These changes are your body’s inherent defence mechanisms to allow for a “fight or flight” response by increasing your stamina, strength, speed, reaction time and focus.This is all done to protect you, in a survival mode style.Here’s an example… Oh look, there’s a hungry tiger right behind you!You better run or you’ll become the next meal.

Okay, so what if you feel like there’s always a metaphorical tiger looming around the corner ready to chase you.Your body will be in a constant and chronic state of alert.This is beneficial in short spurts when you want to get something done on a deadline, but what if this reaction becomes the normal every day response to everything?

Stress and anxiety share many of the same physical symptoms, making it difficult to spot the differences between them. If you have difficulty managing your stress and if this has an impact on your ability to carry out normal daily activities, then treatments and therapies can help. Ultimately, it is important to learn to identify your anxiety triggers so that you can find strategies that work for you. For example, Click here for anxiety treatment options.

Well, let’s take a step back.I told you that stress doesn’t exist, right?That’s because it all starts in your mind.Stressors do exist, but it’s all in how you deal with them.Now, I’m not saying there’s a quick fix to this problem because there isn’t and I’m certainly not attempting to discount how you feel.But, there are small changes that can be made every single day that can help you to shift your perception and kick that tiger to the curb.

Are you looking all over the place for something that makes you happy?Have you looked within yourself yet?Because guess what, that’s where you’ll find it.You won’t find it in things, in places or other people.

Ultimately, you’re as happy as you make up your mind to be.

Are you feeling supported?Make sure to surround yourself with people who nurture your success, not stifle it for their own gain.When someone around you is dragging you down, it’s your responsibility to address this issue and do what you can to change the situation.

There’s also nothing wrong with seeking professional help.If you feel like you need to talk to someone, you should never be ashamed.You’re using whatever tool you can find to get better and you should be proud of the courage that it takes to make this decision.

If you let yourself get to the boiling point, you’re bound to eventually boil over.If you feel like you’re on your way there, make a conscious choice to step back and re-evaluate your situation.That way you’ll be able to gain perspective on the decisions you need to make to protect yourself and change the potential outcome.

It’s okay to put up boundaries as a sign of respect to yourself.

You are in control of your thoughts.Remember this, even when it doesn’t feel that way. Mindfulness tasks such as meditation, should become a part of your daily routine in order to clean out the thought-clutter.

As I explained before, your mind can trigger physiological responses in your body that can have long term adverse effects, even if their initial role was one of protective means.Take the time to nurture your brain with proper sleep, high density supporting nutrients, regular exercise and trained focused learning activities.

There’s a lot to be said for accepting yourself the way you are and loving what you’re working with, but you have to prove it by treating your body right too.It’s pretty obvious, folks!Feed yourself the proper nutrients to support optimal health.Engage in regular exercise to combat and prevent any physiological effects and up your energy production and intake.

Ever had a “gut feeling” about something?Well, there are more nerve cells in your gut than in your spinal cord.Support your tummy and you’ll be helping to support your body through stressful situations.

It’s easy to head on over to a doctor’s office when you’re feeling overwhelmed and grab some prescribed meds.And hey, it works for some people and I respect your choice.But they’re not candy, there are some serious side effects.Don’t get me wrong, I love doctors and most of them are fantastic at what they do.But there is a lack of propensity, in my opinion, to try alternative methods before grabbing the ol’ prescription pad.

Taking a holistic approach to health, Veeva formulates products that help to treat stress with mood selecting ingredients that are proven to work effectively and efficiently on both the mind and body.The first product of it’s kind in Canada, the stress formula is full of high quality, extensively researched ingredients that nourish, enhance and prevent the effects of stress throughout all body systems.

Lemon balm increases the availability of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain responsible for functions like helping to regulate brain activity, promote relaxation and slow down neuron firing.When your neurons are firing too fast and too often, it’s hard to relax and concentrate.

Thanks to a specific composition, Cyracos is the only plant extract of lemon balm that acts simultaneously on your stress and its associated symptoms.Clinical trials resulted in outstanding results including a 72% reduction on stress-related symptoms.

Ashwagandha

Generally used in Ayurvedic Medicine as a rejuvenative and nervine tonic, Ashwagandha has anti-stress and adrenal support properties and reduces anxiety.Helping to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, it allows for nourishment of the adrenal glands and thus proper regulation of hormones.It alleviates mental fatigue by inhibiting an enzyme that causes poor blood circulation in the brain leading to a feeling of fatigue.

Rhodiola

Promoting mental performance, it helps the body adapt to stress by moderating the levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain.

Theanine

An amino acid found in green tea that exerts a profoundly calming yet non-drowsy effect.It helps to increase alpha brain waves which are an electrical brain activity commonly present when one is in a relaxed state.

5-HTP

Working in tandem with Theanine to help regulate mood, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid involved in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan.NOTE: Pay attention when taking other products that contain 5-HTP.Without the proper calculated formulation of ingredients, it is not recommended to be taken with SSRI’s as it is generally contraindicated.

Choline and Inositol

Often referred to as brain food, Choline and Inositol are chemical messengers that help to ensure proper brain and stress response function by keeping the activity and signalling of your entire nervous system in check.

A black pepper extract that helps with absorption of other nutrients found in Veeva, for optimum effect.

Allspice, Cloves, Cinnamon

“The Journal of Medicinal Foods showed that the phenol content of spices offered better protection to brain tissue against advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) than any herb or antioxidant. University of Georgia researchers proved that clove, cinnamon and allspice are exceptionally strong at reducing inflammation in tissues. This is critical to preventing brain cell damage from stress, anxiety or mood swings.”

It’s always important to remember that stressors aren’t going to go away.But, there are some great natural ways to help you manage them.Know that you’re not alone and that you have what it takes to feel better.It’s all within you, you just may need a little help sometimes.

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